In case you missed it: The Dirty Youth

My muse has a thing for female fronted bands – the ultimate is Evanescence. My muse adores Amy Lee but here my muse is interested in sharing perhaps something less then “everybody knows about” influences. Here we have a female fronted band who affectionately call themselves The Dirty Youth (on the web). From my muse The Dirty Youth is a rocking muse ass-kicker. Sure, they have their lighter side but it is their hard rifts and melodic tones of lead singer Danni Monroe that tips the scales for the muse.

As writers, we all have our personal favorites or things that we do to get our muse comfy at the keyboard or the end of a pen/pencil – from quiet time to booze to music and every thing in between that stimulates what lies deep within. If music, that is pulse pounding, builds a bit of chaos for your muse then The Dirty Youth (on FB) is a must.

Matt Bond and Luke Padfield belt out the lead and rhythmic guitar rifts that are sure to please the most discerning ear. The bass and percussion keeps the music of The Dirty Youth (on Twitter @thedirtyyouth) pure and damning – but as I said, my muse loves female fronted bands and Danni Monroe is a powerhouse singer that can run with the best of them. She simply kicks-ass.

Their album Red Light Fix (sample it here) is a fantastic offering for any muse that enjoys her (or his) music hard and delicious. You will also enjoy a quieter moment here and there but overall you will enjoy an incredible album that displays inspiring talent.

The playlist:

1. Rise Up
2. The End
3. Requiem of the Drunk
4. Fight
5. Final Chapter
6. Ellen
7. Red Light Fix
8. Last Confession
9.  Promises
10.  This is for you

My muse is especially fond of tracks – 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 (all right just about the entire bloody album – that should tell you something). Each tune provides a distinct drive and place for the muse to create. Each builds on the other creating a novel worthy journey as you spin the virtual vinyl. Excellent music – with body that will shock your creative senses. These delicious, inspiring and driven tunes will set your muse on a journey through creation – plot, characterization, setting … completion.

Of note, track 4 – “Fight” is an absolute classic in my muse's mind. How this song is not ruling the airwaves and putting The Dirty Youth on every rock fans lips is beyond me. This is a complete band – musically, vocally, look and damn that Danni Monroe! Have a look at “Fight”

The Dirty Youth needs to find its way on to your muse’s playlist – it will grow on her or him and take your writing to places you never thought possible. 

Slow Burn: Infected, Book 2 - Bobby Adair

This morsel of zombie madness, save Resident Evil/Walking Dead style, came to me from a blog reader as a recommended read. This was a first for me. Tales from authors, friends of authors and even parents of authors but never a reader. So, as I do for all that send me works, I read. 

Infected by Bobby Adair is a not so fresh look at zombie madness but one of the more fluid and well-written ones I have read. I, of course jumped in to this with book 2 and went back to Zero Day book 1 (to get caught up) - cleaver reader grabbed a sale for Mr. Adair. 

The series follows a virus that infects the unknowing and willing victim and transforms them into zombies. Simple premise and used premise in my estimation but as with most tales nowadays, especially those in the horror genre, used is the storyline of the day. That said, or whined, Mr. Adair does a masterful job of weaving characters into the tale. Namely, Zed, Murphy and Jerome. Murphy is the sh*t … great persona that is very relatable and believable. Zed and Jerome are very well drawn out but Murphy has my attention.

The scenes of violence are well done, not over hyped or marred with silly amounts of graphics or gore. Tastefully bludgeoned and bloody comes to mind. If you read this blog you know I am not a fan of serials. Though Infected is well written, it is still a serial. My chief complaint might be that book 1 and 2 could easily be book one. Spare book 3 and where it might take it all, it too may be a good candidate for book 1 material as well.

Very smoothly written, great attention to detail and editing is spot on. I am not a editor nor a English major as you can tell by my sporadic blogging - I don't much care as long as I can read it and it makes sense or speaks to me. In fact, I enjoy a oddly written tale. Infected, is tightly presented in my estimation.

For the writer, great charter development and maturity, as the tales evolves. Dramatic cut scenes with great detail of events. This is a nicely written story and a solid teaching tool.


For the reader, excellent read. I recommendation, if you are new to this series, is to
pick up book 1 & 2 and read them as one. Even with the additional cost, it is well worth dropping a few bucks.

Spyder's music notes - Blacklisted Me

Lexus Amanda has a brilliant voice and this tune captures it well. For the muse it likens itself to a moment of reflection between scenes or drafting. Have a listen to Reprobate Romance: